His participation in a Bioblitz introduced Brian Stewart to the fascination of the local insect life.  A dozen years later he had photographed some 400 species in his own back yard, including many strange and beautiful creatures.  Brian shares his story and tips for insect identification in this program first broadcast in November of 2019

His participation in a Bioblitz introduced Brian Stewart to the fascination of the local insect life.  A dozen years later he had photographed some 400 species in his own back yard, including many strange and beautiful creatures.  Brian shares his story and tips for insect identification in this program first broadcast in November of 2019

A Personal Exploration of the  Beauty of Back Yard Insects

If you are frustrated by the poor selection of native plants at local garden centers, check out Izel Native Plants.  Listen as founders and owners Amanda McLean and Claudio Vasquez explain how they have made the wares of leading wholesale growers accessible to amateur gardeners, and how their company emphasizes education as much as sales.

If you are frustrated by the poor selection of native plants at local garden centers, check out Izel Native Plants.  Listen as founders and owners Amanda McLean and Claudio Vasquez explain how they have made the wares of leading wholesale growers accessible to amateur gardeners, and how their company emphasizes education as much as sales.

Izel Native Plants, Expanding the Palette and Knowledge-Base of American Gardeners

Maya K. van Rossum shares what she observed at the recent trial in Montana, where 16 young natives of that state charged the legislature with deliberately violating the guarantee of “a clean and healthful environment…for present and future generations” in Montana’s state constitution

Maya K. van Rossum shares what she observed at the recent trial in Montana, where 16 young natives of that state charged the legislature with deliberately violating the guarantee of “a clean and healthful environment…for present and future generations” in Montana’s state constitution

A Youth Uprising in Montana

Gardening is changing, and our understanding of the field must keep pace. Veteran horticulturist and longtime teacher Joe Seals rises to this challenge in his new book, "Back to the New Basics: A Practical Guide and New Reference Manual to the Ways, the Whys, and the New Sciences of Better, Easier Gardening." A great introduction for the novice and a quick update for experienced gardeners, this is an invaluable book.

Gardening is changing, and our understanding of the field must keep pace. Veteran horticulturist and longtime teacher Joe Seals rises to this challenge in his new book, "Back to the New Basics: A Practical Guide and New Reference Manual to the Ways, the Whys, and the New Sciences of Better, Easier Gardening." A great introduction for the novice and a quick update for experienced gardeners, this is an invaluable book.

Back to the New Basics

 This week, in a re-posting of a program first heard in August 2021, ecologist and author Tom Wessels discusses his “Forest Forensics,” the system of simple visual clues you can use to read the history of your woodland acreage

This week, in a re-posting of a program first heard in August 2021, ecologist and author Tom Wessels discusses his “Forest Forensics,” the system of simple visual clues you can use to read the history of your woodland acreage

A Sherlock Holmes of the Forest

As our climates grow warmer and frequently drier, gardeners need the drought and heat tolerance, and innate sustainability of our native grassland plants more than ever.  In their new book, The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants, Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox have combined their decades of experience to produce an indispensable tool for beginners and veterans alike, with invaluable advice about how to create functioning grassland ecosystems inside and outside the prairie states.

As our climates grow warmer and frequently drier, gardeners need the drought and heat tolerance, and innate sustainability of our native grassland plants more than ever.  In their new book, The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants, Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox have combined their decades of experience to produce an indispensable tool for beginners and veterans alike, with invaluable advice about how to create functioning grassland ecosystems inside and outside the prairie states.

Grassland Gardens for Our Era

“Grow Your Own” is a cornerstone of sustainability, but our vegetable gardens are being challenged by increasingly erratic weather as the climate changes.  John Traunfeld, Program Director at the University of Maryland’s Home &amp; Garden Information Center shares his experiences in making food gardens more climate resilient, and how this can even draw our communities closer together.

“Grow Your Own” is a cornerstone of sustainability, but our vegetable gardens are being challenged by increasingly erratic weather as the climate changes.  John Traunfeld, Program Director at the University of Maryland’s Home &amp; Garden Information Center shares his experiences in making food gardens more climate resilient, and how this can even draw our communities closer together.

Making Our Vegetable Gardens More Climate Resilient

Lead contamination is common in soils of many residential neighborhoods in urban, suburban, and even rural settings.  Soil scientist Clay Robinson – “Dr. Dirt” – details where this problem is most likely, how to test your soil, and how appropriate gardening can provide protection.

Lead contamination is common in soils of many residential neighborhoods in urban, suburban, and even rural settings.  Soil scientist Clay Robinson – “Dr. Dirt” – details where this problem is most likely, how to test your soil, and how appropriate gardening can provide protection.

Gardening on a Lead-Contaminated Soil

Artist Robert Adzema discusses his history of creating ingenious and innovative sundials, and what sundials can teach the gardener about plants’ primary fuel.

Artist Robert Adzema discusses his history of creating ingenious and innovative sundials, and what sundials can teach the gardener about plants’ primary fuel.

Sculpting Sunlight

 Dan Jaffe Wilder’s response to the polluting sterility of the traditional lawn?  Plant strawberries.  And that’s only one of many intriguing – and tested - proposals made by this talented native plants pioneer. 

Dan Jaffe Wilder’s response to the polluting sterility of the traditional lawn?  Plant strawberries.  And that’s only one of many intriguing – and tested - proposals made by this talented native plants pioneer.

Beautiful and Field Tested Native Lawns

Your weekly half-hour program about environmentally informed gardening.  Each week we bring you a different expert, a leading voice on gardening in partnership with Nature.  Our goal is to make your landscape healthier, more beautiful, more sustainable, and more fun.

Growing Greener

Jeff Lowenfels

Jeff Lowenfels, the author of  Teaming With Microbes, details how to work with the soil food web to achieve a healthier, greener, and more productive garden

Jeff Lowenfels, the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Teaming-Microbes-Organic-Gardeners-Revised/dp/1604691131/ref=asc_df_1604691131/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=312132076760&amp;hvpos=1o1&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=11793921615602150665&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9003342&amp;hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-406163961033&amp;psc=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Teaming With Microbes</a>, details how to work with the soil food web to achieve a healthier, greener, and more productive garden

Jeff Lowenfels - The Soil Food Web

Heather Holm

An interview with award-winning author and landscape restorationist Heather Holm about the thousands of native pollinators that can serve your garden.  Learn how to attract and foster these invaluable and essential insects.

An interview with award-winning author and landscape restorationist Heather Holm about the thousands of native pollinators that can serve your garden.  Learn how to attract and foster these invaluable and essential insects.

Heather Holm -- Beyond Bumblebees

Annie Martin

Moss Gardening

'Mossin' Annie' Martin, author of "The Magical World of Moss Gardening" and proprietor of Mountain Moss Enterprises discusses the beauties and environmental benefits of these primitive but highly adaptable plants.  Topics include how to rescue mosses and establish a moss garden, and the role mosses play in reducing the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere

'Mossin' Annie' Martin, author of "<a href="https://www.mountainmoss.com/collections/educational-materials" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Magical World of Moss Gardening</a>" and proprietor of <a href="https://www.mountainmoss.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mountain Moss Enterprises</a> discusses the beauties and environmental benefits of these primitive but highly adaptable plants.  Topics include how to rescue mosses and establish a moss garden, and the role mosses play in reducing the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere

Annie Martin -- Moss Gardening

William Bryant

Author William Bryant Logan discusses his most recent book, "Sprout Lands," and the revival of pollarding, the basis of an ancient and mutually beneficial relationship between trees and people

Author William Bryant Logan discusses his most recent book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sprout+Lands&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;ref=nb_sb_noss_2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sprout Lands</a>," and the revival of pollarding, the basis of an ancient and mutually beneficial relationship between trees and people

William Bryant Logan – "Sprout Lands"

Dr. Bethany Bradley, an ecologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, talks about the effects of climate change in enhancing invasive plants, and what gardeners can do to fight back

Dr. Bethany Bradley, an ecologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, talks about the effects of climate change in enhancing invasive plants, and what gardeners can do to fight back

Dr. Bethany Bradley -- Invasive Plant Update

An interview with Dr. Bethany Bradley, ecologist at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, about the pros and cons of implementing assisted migration of native plants as a response to climate change

An interview with Dr. Bethany Bradley, ecologist at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, about the pros and cons of implementing assisted migration of native plants as a response to climate change

 Dr. Bethany Bradley -- Assisted Migration of Native Plants

Benjamin Vogt

Author Benjamin Vogt discusses his provocative book, "A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future", and calls for a radical, less human-centric approach to the landscape

Author Benjamin Vogt discusses his provocative book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071122MZC/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&amp;btkr=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future</a>", and calls for a radical, less human-centric approach to the landscape

Author Benjamin Vogt - "A New Garden Ethic"

Jared Westbrook

An interview with Dr. Jared Westbrook of the American Chestnut Foundation, in which he describes how his organization is using genetic engineering to return the American Chestnut to our forests, and discusses the implications of this work for other endangered trees

An interview with Dr. Jared Westbrook of the American Chestnut Foundation, in which he describes how his organization is using genetic engineering to return the American Chestnut to our forests, and discusses the implications of this work for other endangered trees

Jared Westbrook -- Saving Trees With Genetic Engineering

Elaine Ingham

Internationally renowned soil microbiologist Dr. Elaine Ingham discusses her research with the soil food web that is revolutionizing gardening, and her Soil Food Web School

Internationally renowned soil microbiologist Dr. Elaine Ingham discusses her research with the soil food web that is revolutionizing gardening, and her <a href="https://www.soilfoodweb.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soil Food Web School</a>

Dr. Elaine Ingham - Soil Food Web

Douglas Tallamy

Dr. Douglas Tallamy, an insect ecologist at the University of Delaware, discusses his new, best-selling book, "Nature's Best Hope"

Dr. Douglas Tallamy, an insect ecologist at the University of Delaware, discusses his new, best-selling book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Best-Hope-Approach-Conservation/dp/1604699000/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=nature%27s+best+hope&amp;qid=1582296656&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nature's Best Hope</a>"

Douglas Tallamy – Nature's Best Hope

Karen Bussolini

An interview with  garden photographer and writer Karen Bussolini who discusses her work with the camera and how it informs her gardening, as well as describing her career as an "eco-friendly" garden coach.

An interview with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Karen+Bussolini&amp;i=stripbooks&amp;ref=nb_sb_noss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> garden photographer and writer</a> Karen Bussolini who discusses her work with the camera and how it informs her gardening, as well as describing her career as an "eco-friendly" garden coach.

Karen Bussolini - Eco-Friendly Garden Coach

An interview with Douglas Tallamy, University of Delaware Professor of Entomology and award-winning author of Bringing Nature Home, talking about the need to include insects in your garden. 

An interview with Douglas Tallamy, University of Delaware Professor of Entomology and award-winning author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Nature-Home-Wildlife-Expanded/dp/0881929921" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Bringing Nature Home</a>, talking about the need to include insects in your garden.

Douglas Tallamy - Insects and Plants

Margaret Roach

An interview with Margaret Roach, in which the celebrated host of "A Way to Garden" discusses the tools she used to educate herself about the environmental aspects of her craft, and her latest book, "A Way To Garden."

An interview with Margaret Roach, in which the celebrated host of "A Way to Garden" discusses the tools she used to educate herself about the environmental aspects of her craft, and her latest book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Way-Garden-Hands-Primer-Season/dp/1604698772" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Way To Garden</a>."

Margaret Roach -- Education of an Evironmental Gardener

Andrew Madden of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and Dr. Tracy Rittenhouse of the University of Connecticut discuss the migration of black bears into our exurbs and suburbs, with tips for co-existence

Andrew Madden of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and Dr. Tracy Rittenhouse of the University of Connecticut discuss the migration of black bears into our exurbs and suburbs, with tips for co-existence

Black Bears –  The New Garden Wildlife

Janice Hand, past president of "Wild Ones" discusses this organization's successful programs to boost native plants, promote the restoration of natural landscapes, and educate young people.

Janice Hand, past president of "Wild Ones" discusses this organization's successful programs to boost native plants, promote the restoration of natural landscapes, and educate young people.

Janice Hand - "Wild Ones"

William Welch

Dr. William Welch of Texas A&amp;M University and co-author of The Rose Rustlers discusses the ways in which heirloom plants, survivors from old gardens, can enhance the sustainability of your garden

Dr. William Welch of Texas A&amp;M University and co-author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rustlers-AgriLife-Research-Extension-Service/dp/162349544X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27M92JEYBEEVR&amp;keywords=rose+rustlers&amp;qid=1583688525&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=Rose+Rustl%2Cstripbooks%2C160&amp;sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Rose Rustlers</a> discusses the ways in which heirloom plants, survivors from old gardens, can enhance the sustainability of your garden

William Welch - Heirloom Plants

Linda Chalker-Scott

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott of The Garden Professors blog and Facebook page, as she discusses the work of these groups and the importance of applying peer-reviewed science to the issues and problems of gardeners.

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott of The Garden Professors <a href="http://gardenprofessors.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">blog</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheGardenProfessors/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, as she discusses the work of these groups and the importance of applying peer-reviewed science to the issues and problems of gardeners.

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott - The Garden Professors

Edward Toth

Edward Toth, Director of New York's Greenbelt Native Plant Center, discusses the mission of the country's only municipal native plants nursery and seed bank, and its role in preserving local races of the vegetation native to NY's five boroughs.

Edward Toth, Director of New York's Greenbelt Native Plant Center, discusses the mission of the country's only municipal native plants nursery and seed bank, and its role in preserving local races of the vegetation native to NY's five boroughs.

Edward Toth - Greenbelt Native Plant Center

Brad Roeller

Pioneering horticulturist Brad Roeller discusses the research into sustainable gardening he carried out at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY, and shares insights into the future of the field

Pioneering horticulturist Brad Roeller discusses the research into sustainable gardening he carried out at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY, and shares insights into the future of the field

Brad Roeller -- Sustainable Gardening

Dan Jaffe

Dan Jaffe, a rising star of the new generation of native plants experts and co-author of Native Plants for New England Gardens discusses the many practical advantages of gardening with natives.

Dan Jaffe, a rising star of the new generation of native plants experts and co-author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Native-Plants-New-England-Gardens/dp/1493029258/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Dan+Jaffe&amp;qid=1588100478&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Native Plants for New England Gardens</a> discusses the many practical advantages of gardening with natives.

Dan Jaffe – How to Make Your Life Easier With Native Plants

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